Live in carers - money, tax and employment status
Agencies have different structures and systems within. Some will have you on their payroll and some will list you as self employed. In each case they will guide you and give you advice about tax, registering a National Insurance number, bank accounts etc. Some agencies act as an employment introduction only, that’s why you will be listed as self employed. Be very careful in these types of engagements as you will have more responsibilities than just by caring as for being employed! Ideally, because of various demands by banks and to create a National Insurance number, it is ideal to start off as employed if you have never worked in the UK. However, some of these positions give you some additional tax benefits where you can claim more expenses and pay less tax.
If you consider working for less than 6 months in a year, you will be entitled to a tax credit that basically you will not need to pay tax! It depends on your circumstances and when you start employment, however if you start paying tax, you can always reclaim it if you choose to stop work before hand. The tax year in the UK runs from April 1st until March 31st the following year. It is good to keep in mind if you plan on working then travelling!
As mentioned in other pages, the minimum gross (before tax) pay for live in care isaround £20,000 a year although this doesn’t include bank holiday extras. If you choose to take a two day break, you might want to check the contract with a particular agency as some pay more at weekends and if it makes no difference to you when to take your break, it would be wiser to take weekdays off!
If you are not yet in the UK…
There will be certain initial costs in your home country, such as the fee charged by the Agency’s Local Representative and the charge for a UK Criminal Record Bureau check. Then there will be the cost of traveling to the UK.
Once in the UK, because an Agency cannot normally give you an assignment immediately following the interview or induction training, you must be realistic about the time between your arrival in the UK and the start of your first assignment. A wait of ten days is not unusual but you may have to wait as long as two weeks and will need sufficient money to see you through.
Here is a guide to your possible expenses:
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£500 may seem a large sum of money, especially when converted to your local currency and compared with people's incomes. Do not be put off by this, though. Think positively!
Even if you do not have the full amount in the bank at the moment, perhaps you could borrow from a family member or good friend knowing that before the end of the second month you should have earned enough to cover both your air fare and whatever you borrowed.
Doing care work in the UK for only two months is barely worthwhile. Plan for working for at least four, or even six months, with good breaks for relaxation between assignments. Also do keep in mind that with free food and accommodation whilst at work, you’ll be able to save a lot of money…